Scaredy Cat set for ‘retirement party’

ELBURN – Denny Hawks is planning “a little retirement” party this weekend for an Elburn bull that has been a featured star at professional bull-riding events.

Scaredy Cat, who gained notoriety for an ability to leap out of the chutes during the events, will be in action Friday and Saturday at the Professional Championship Bullriders event at the Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates.

The bull is among the headliners, and this is its final event. Hawks, who owns Scaredy Cat, said it’s the right time for the animal to retire. The bull is 9 years old, and it has been nearly seven years since Scaredy Cat broke through at the national level. Hawks said the bull “is definitely our favorite.”

“It’s definitely worth seeing him,” Hawks said. “He doesn’t get up in the air like he used to, but he still bucks pretty good.”

Robert Sauber, who runs the PCB Tour, said the event will be a fitting way for Scaredy Cat to go out.

“It’s his home, for one,” Sauber said. “This is where he lives, and from here on out, we’re going to start brewing him to get Scaredy Cat juniors out of him. … He’s been a big name in the bull-riding industry.”

Sauber called Scaredy Cat “a household name,” and he said it will be a big deal for the bull rider who gets to share the moment.

Shows start at 7:30 p.m. each night at the Sears Centre. For information, visit www.searscentre.com.

Championship bull-riding

Elburn bull Scaredy Cat will participate in a Professional Championship Bullriders event at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Sears Centre. Visit www.searscentre.com for information.